Influence of picumast dihydrochloride on the ex vivo histamine release from leucocytes of allergic asthmatic patients.

In a pilot study 8 patients with allergic obstructive airway disease were treated with the new compound picumast dihydrochloride (3,4-dimethyl-7-[4-(4-chlorobenzyl)piperazine-1-yl]propoxycoumarine++ + dihydrochloride) 2 x 2 mg daily orally during a period of 8 days additionally to a usual therapy of bronchodilators and corticoids in a steady state. It was demonstrated that the compound inhibited the allergen induced histamine liberation of patients basophils significantly. Compared with a collective of patients without an additional picumast dihydrochloride treatment the effect of the substance was shown more clearly. From reasons of these experimental data picumast dihydrochloride may be of a considerable value as a prophylactic agent in allergic bronchial asthma when given orally.